Basiliani

very nice, new, sophisticated but essential resort. located 800 meters from the historic center. very nice and spacious rooms, clean. large terrace. clean pool, overlooking the surrounding greenery. I stopped overnight, I wanted to stay for the holiday. I didn't have dinner there, but a great breakfast.

The Basiliani is a beautiful Hotel a couple of Km outside Otranto. It's a real gem with a fabulous big pool and grounds to accommodate lovely events of all kinds. We were there for 5 full days. UNFORTUNATELY, the service lacks refineness and professionality. On arrival no one even bothered asking if we or any other new guest needed a hand with the luggage The "porter" took us up and down stairs, elevators and corridors to finally end up (almost 5 mins later) 20 meters across the courtyard from the reception hall. There's a very small bar at the entrance but almost never anyone to serve anything. If you want something during the day you must go to the swimming pool bar - truly tiny - and be served a very limited amount of drinks served in flimsey disposable plastic cupsand almost no choice of snacks. We had two couplet of friends for before dinner drinks and it was almost embarassing and they too were shocked at the service, being locals. It took the barman - a very sweet guy - almost 20 minutes to give us our 6 drinks (all the same except for a juice) presented as though in a starless facility and we had to ask for something to munch otherwise they don't supply it. There were no other guests to serve so, incomprehensible as to the amount of time taken! Next morning we were late for breakfast and asked to buy for a coffee from the coffee machine 5 meters away from the reception area and again we were told to go to the pool bar - not at all close - also laughing behind our backs because we had the audacity of thinking it not a big deal to have someone make coffee. The breakfast service is pretty good and the waiters are friendly and helpful. A 4 star hotel just for its structure. Very clean, great beds and everything impeccably tidy but that isn't enough to get a good reputation. We weren't told or given any pool towels because the staff at reception in particular gives the impression that it's too much of a bother to communicate and be helpful to the guests as regards anything. I suggest they all get some training starting from the management staff. It was really depressing and a big let down especially after having read the positive reviews.